Gift Guide: For Taco Lovers

Do you know someone who loves tacos? Not 'really likes' tacos, or 'enjoys' tacos, but really, really loves them? Well, you're a lucky person, because that means you have a guaranteed taco buddy any time you want. Here are some gifts to show your appreciation for the unabashed taco aficionado in your life.

Sturdy Pestle and Mortar

Any Mexican kitchen worth their chilies needs a sturdy pestle and mortar (or simply molcajete if you habla español). The age-old hand carved rocks are the perfect instrument for grinding chilies for salsa, mixing ingredients for guacamole or in the early stages of making masa. It's one of the oldest, simplest kitchen utensils you'll find today, and still just as useful as ever. Williams Sonoma; $49.95

Cast Iron Tortilla Press

If you're a serious taco eater, you know what a homemade tortilla can mean for the meal. So instead of relying on pre-pressed bags of the bland stuff, mix up some masa and press away with a cast iron tortilla press. The simple, sturdy design ensures years of delicious, warm, fresh pressed tortillas. Bed Bath & Beyond; $19.99

Cast Iron Comal

This single-forge cast iron griddle, known as a comal in Mexico, is the perfect kitchen piece to finish off your homemade tortillas. The 10" surface gives you plenty of leeway on your desired taco sizes, and the even distribution of heat ensures a nice toasting to the entire tortilla, without getting dry and brittle at the edges. Walmart; $23.97

Terra Cotta Tortilla Warmer

Now that you've prepared fresh tortillas and griddled them up nicely, why not keep the perfection going with a terra cotta tortilla warmer? The thick-walled container is perfect for leaving on the dinner table while people reach for the inevitable second tortilla helping. Plus, it's glazed on the inside for easy cleaning, is completely microwave safe, and the terra cotta is a nice step up from the plastic versions you'll find elsewhere. Bed Bath & Beyond; $16.99

Homemade Taco Seasoning

[Photograph: Kelly Yandell]

Looking for something quick and simple? Why not jar up some homemade taco seasoning for friends and family alike, using this simple recipe. And the best part? It's totally flexible, which means you can tone down the chili powder for anyone with an aversion to heat, or crank up the cayenne for those who like to sweat. Just don't mix up the labels. The Meaning of Pie

Taco Cookbooks

While tacos are simple pleasures that don't require much fuss, there is certainly a way to do them right. Instead of putting an ad out for your very own Mexican grandmother, try letting the experts walk you through the wonders of the taco. Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of L.A.'s Border Grill franchise certainly know how to put together a taco, and Chicago's Rick Bayless is an expert on all things Mexican cuisine. But if it's tacos - and only tacos - you're craving, the aptly-named Tacos cookbook by Mark Miller is pretty definitive.

Taco Caddy

It's rarely about the presentation when it comes to tacos, but sometimes a little help goes a long way. This Orion taco caddy is simple stainless steel, and looks fantastic on any table. They're also helpful for anyone prepping a lot of tacos at once, since they're wide enough at the top to provide plenty of room for fillings and the thin handles don't get in the way at the prep station. Wasserstrom; $21.60

Taco Ornament

Of course there's an artist on Etsy making hand-crocheted taco ornaments because... well because it's awesome, that's why. Don't be fooled by the picture either, these happy little suckers are nearly four inches wide. Or in other words, about half as big as the smile of anyone receives this cute little fella. Etsy; $8.00

Taco Clothing

Everyone loves tacos. And if you're willing to rep your taco pride on your body, you can get this great mustachioed "I Heart Tacos" hoodie for pretty cheap. And you can make your dog wear their taco pride in the form of this hilarious taco costume. It certainly worked well for Dumpling (rest in peace, little guy!). Etsy; Taco Hoodie ($28)

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About the Author

Farley Elliott is a freelance food, drink and travel writer based in Los Angeles. He covers the L.A. Mexican food scene for Serious Eats, dishes on great strip mall finds for LA Weekly and talks about beer whenever he can. His work has been featured on the Huffington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Forbes.com and elsewhere. Follow along at his site OverOverUnder.com, or on Instagram @OverOverUnder.

His own site, OverOverUnder.com is a collection of Farley's best writing from across the internet, plus exclusive content you won't find anywhere else.